Mother Murphy’s at Disneyland

Mother Murphy offered meals at all hours at Disneyland as can be seen in this July 1961 image. Located in the mining town of Rainbow Ridge, guests who took a ride on the Nature’s Wonderland attraction were able to see her little boarding house from the train. Where else in Disneyland could you get “nice beds” for only $1?



This April 1962 gives a little more perspective as to where Mother Murphy was located, between Miner’s Hardware and the El Dorado Hotel.





Another angle, circa May 1963, which includes a cast member:



This December 1963 image also shows the train:





Even further back, circa May 1964:



By the 1970s, Mother Murphy bit the dust and was replaced by Appleseed’s Groceries. I wonder what caused this change in proprietors?






See more Disneyland Nature’s Wonderland photos at my main website.

Wonderland Wednesday

Before there was Big Thunder Mountain, there was the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train. What it lacked in speed it more than compensated with thrills. The above undated 1950s shot shows Mineral Hall on the right, where the Black Light Corporation of America had a little display inside.



Behind the post you can see the original name of the attraction, before it became The Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland in 1960.



Another undated 1950s image with a great view of the original Rainbow Ridge mining town. While scale would have proved a problem, wouldn’t it have been great if the Barber Shop, Hardware Store, and Hotel were truly in operation for guests?



Zooming in for a look at the souvenir bag, which is not familiar to me, while the booklet in the gent’s suit pocket is.



It’s the back cover of the 1956 Guidebook:



The next consecutive shot shows a Rainbow Ridge bulletin board:



While I can’t believe a guest shot this back in 1956, I am so grateful!



Another undated (but most likely 1956-57) view of Rainbow Ridge, but this time the train is at the station:



I see three cameras (where are those photos/slides now?) and a popcorn bucket!



See more vintage Disneyland Nature’s Wonderland photos at my main website.

Nature's Wonderland Interlude

Before I wrap up the final installment of the MONA Neon Cruise trilogy, I thought I'd insert these two previously unpublished shots of Nature's Wonderland, a beloved Disneyland attraction of the past. First up is a fairly empty overall view of the loading area and Pack Mule queue from April 1958.

This 1956 shot features the Rainbow Mountain Railroad getting ready to take another batch of guests on their journey through Nature's Wonderland.



See more vintage Disneyland Nature's Wonderland photos at my main website.

Nature's Wonderland Railroad, 1966

All aboard the Disneyland Nature's Wonderland Railroad, circa 1966. This juicy vintage color shot shows the train pulling into Rainbow Ridge...or perhaps about to leave Rainbow Ridge. You pick.

An October 1967 view of the train crossing a trestle.



An April 1962 view of the train circling around Cascade Peak.



More Nature's Wonderland at my main website.

Miner's Hardware

My earliest shot of the Miner's Hardware store in Rainbow Ridge is from November 1956. Recently, I acquired a beautiful February 1958 image that allows us to see all kinds of detail...in vivid color!



TWO pot belly stoves for $6.75? What a deal!



Miner's Hardware lived on through most of the 70s (as seen in the image below), but when Big Thunder Mountain replaced the Nature's Wonderland attraction in 1979, apparently Rainbow Ridge no longer needed this store.



More Miner's Hardware photos at my main website.

Wagon Repair at Disneyland

A beautiful overhead view of Rainbow Ridge in Frontierland from November 1967. Zooming in we get a closer look at the Wagon Repairing sign. By the time this photo was shot, the Wagon and Stage Coach ride attractions had been long gone.



These images might explain why they were eliminated.





More vintage Nature's Wonderland photos at my main website.

Out of Scale and RIP Batgirl

It is fairly common knowledge to most of us Disneyland geeks that forced perspective makes the Castle and Main Street seem bigger than they are. The little town of Rainbow Ridge typically gets the shaft in these discussions. Today's image from May 1963 shows just how effective this little trick works, thanks to a worker who was captured standing next to the buildings of Walt's mining town in Frontierland.



It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Yvonne Craig on Monday at the age of 78.



She is definitely best known as the purple clad Batgirl from the 1966 TV series, "Batman." Here she is modeling the original version of her mask that was used in the not often seen test reel.



Craig was the perfect choice for the role; she did a lot with very little, as her character was typically relegated to damsel in distress status. NOBODY who could do a high-kick like Craig would every REALLY be in distress.



More vintage Rainbow Ridge at my main website.

Rainbow Ridge Train Station, November 1971

In this November 1971 color photo, we get a glorious view of the original Rainbow Ridge Mining Town. The town itself survived the changeover to the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad thrill ride, but has undergone a few changes. It would appear that the building on the upper right has now become the Assay Office, seen in this recent comparison view:



The design of the El Dorado Hotel (barely visible on the far right in photo #1) with a barber shop on the side has remained fairly consistent over the years, minus the awning. With big beautiful shade trees around it, I guess there's no need for an awning.



The Miner's Hardware seems to have been a casualty of the change.

See more Daveland Nature's Wonderland photos at my main website.